Saturday, September 9. 2017

The 6-1 win toward Southampton [in May 2003 when the only goals for the club of Pennant came through a burst that is dazzling in the first half]? This was my first-ever [Celtics] start for Arsenal, it was terrific." His hat-trick marked the first game in Arsenal's famous 49-game unbeaten streak that would carry the Invincibles into the title the next season. Yet Pennant made just 12 appearances for Arsenal during the six years. "Following the hat-trick I had been on the bench another game [a 4-0 win at Sunderland to complete the 2002-03 season]. I thought that was the beginning of it and I would kick on at Arsenal. However, I got more and more frustrated and it never happened and lost interest. I thought: 'This is going. '' "Yeah, I went off the tracks," Pennant says, recalling the way he smashed his Mercedes to a lamp-post while on the limit and still banned from driving. "My family was not around and, being so young, you make erroneous conclusions. "MX7232. I don't think I will ever ignore it. Me did change. But not a lot of individuals play in a Champions League final and experience that. I have got to take some credit for not letting it ruin me."

He recalls being doubted by Wenger's assistant spurred him on. "I definitely used it. My representative was told by him: 'He is not going to make it.' I don't know if my character was somewhat rich or if he had it in for me. He is Pat, old school, but I always thought I'd make it. To my agent, I said at Liverpool after playing in the Champions League final and scoring against Chelsea: 'I wonder if Pat watched the game tonight? '''It was rather frosty between us in the Britannia. That was a moment that is fantastic.
Yet Pennant hadn't sustained his early success at Liverpool. Liverpool was also. So it was terrific. When I got hurt the turning point with Rafa came. I had a stress fracture in my shin and the season. I had been out for three months. I did not play in my first game against Wigan because I tried to nurse it and rushed back. After that, I fought to get back into the group. Because I give 110%, I want to play. I do not if I am not playing. I now know that is wrong."

"Three years ago I would've said: 'No chance -- when I am finished playing that is it.' However, as you get older you know more. When you go through a spell 'Can I go on without soccer in my life? It.' You begin thinking you would miss the boys. You would miss celebrating a win or a goal. At least you a part of that. It is still a job and I want to make a living. Could there be a future training role in Billericay? "I am sure. If everything goes according to program and we jump the leagues my expertise and soccer IQ might be quite beneficial." "It's a difficult battle and it is sad to see within this time. However, Chris Powell and Chris Hughton are currently demonstrating that the minority are like anyone else. Brighton was taken by Chris Hughton. Have managers done that? It's terrific. It will open the eyes of partners and demonstrate your skin's color doesn't define your team is going to do. Wins. Being a director that is black makes you focused I guess. But I am not there yet. Right Now I am concentrating on playing at Billericay."

When Tamplin and I speak, while Pennant changes in a dressing room including other ex-Premier League players at Jamie O’Hara and Paul Konchesky, the Billericay proprietor and director reiterates that his celebrity signing will be provided coaching opportunities. "I do not judge anyone in their past," Tamplin says. "We have all gone through dark times. You've got to be at the pit of the devil. I had been in that devil's pit for four months [before using his wealth if Tamplin was depressed]. Jermaine has been through that pit but he is great. I am a businessman, a Christian and a great judge of character. Ambition means supporters deride the Essex club -- in salary £ 30,000 a week is being paid by Tamplin amid rumors. "No-one is becoming over a thousand a week. He made his debut against West Ham in a friendly and we had the audience in our history. 4,582. Top bins. Beautiful."

Pennant is much more understated. " I need to do really well for the group -- but there is pressure because I played at this high level so everybody expects me to evaluate a few goals every match and be amazing. However, it feels just like a room that is normal. I have known Paul, Jamie and Kevin Foley [who played for Wolves from the Premier League] for years that gelling was automatic. Same with the lads. It doesn't matter who has occupations or who's full-time. We're a team although I think some of these work on building sites. They'll provide you a bollocking if you are lazy. I would not expect. We are all equal. "My loved ones are just happy I'm playing soccer in this country. And what's great with my dad. Everything between us is how it ought to be between a son and a father. Pennant shows me one of the many tattoos. He reads the messages inked into his right arm: "Somewhere between religion and fortune lies destiny." "But I don't have any worries coming here. Not a lot of players play at the maximum level their lifetime. So this is one more avenue of my football life.

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